Help...Valium Withdrawal - Panic/Anxiety Disorder - Pain Management Message Board

helpless · 07-10-2002, 04:14 PM

I have sever Panic/Anxiety disorder + agroaphobia. I have had this for two years. I have been seeing doctors and on Prozac 80mgs per day and Valium 6 10mgs per day. Apparently, my liver processess my meds to fast and I don't get the same time frame of relief. I have been laid off, no insurance and don't know what to do. My life is going downhill. I have some prozac and some people have helped me with the valium. I have contacted several agencies which the fee is too high. I am at a loss and the valium is the only thing that helps the panic and anxiety plus can get me out of the house sometimes. Please, if anyone has been through this or has any suggestions, please respond. Thank you, helplessss

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beebauser · 07-11-2002, 03:58 AM

helpless,
welcome to the boards!
you don't say where you are from, so it is hard to help, as different countrys different options. Let us know someone will answer.
I am in US and I know there are med help here and also the drug companys will also help if you prove your need.
Dont feel helpless, there is always hope!
give us more info and I bet you get help, the folks on these boards are so helpful and caring. I have gotten alot of support here and I bet you will too!
keep your chin up
bee

hope for pain free moments

davidc66 · 07-11-2002, 09:05 AM

Hi Helpless, Valium is a very inexpensive med and the withdrawal can be terrible and last for weeks. That's a whopping dose to come off of cold turkey. Drug stores do price match so you can call around to get the best price and likely get it filled anywhere at the lowest price you found. You need to get enough to do a quick safe taper. Talk to the prescribing doc and perhaps he can give you samples of some type of Benzo to get you through the withdrawal.The doc can also design a taper that will make it as smooth as possible.
If the doc doesn't know what is going on he can't do a thing so this is no time to be proud and keep your troubles to yourself.

Every manyufacturer has a free med program for the medically indigent. check out this site and see if you guys would qualify [url="http://www.needymeds.com"]www.needymeds.com[/url]

Some of the benzo's can cause seizures when you discontinue abruptly so it's important to get on something fast and cheap. Klonopin is cheap and would make the transition smoother and you may be eligable for free prozac through the manufacturer. If a shrink has been prescribing he surely has a closet full of samples so there is no need to do this cold turkey. Good luck, David

helpless · 07-11-2002, 12:58 PM

THank you David for your response. Thankfully, some people have helped me out and given me some and I have a had a few siezures because of the withdrawal. I would freely continue to go through this to get off them, the only problem is my condition will worsen and I have two kids to take care of. Being that I am laid off, I cannot afford the consultations that the websites offer. I am still searching for an inexpensive website that can help. Thank you again, and bless you!

davidc66 · 07-11-2002, 02:32 PM

Helpless, If you are having seizures ER's can not turn you away regardless of your health coverage. Seizure can be life threatening let alone what it most be like for your children to watch it happen. IF you have some valium you can devise a taper by decreasing the dose and increasing the time between doses. Do not wait untill you have another seizure when You may be driving with your kids in the car. Take care, David